What does "Best Musical" mean?

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:08pm

I have not seen Spamalot, so this is not a critique of which show won, but a question. How can a show that did not win best book or best score win best musical? I mean, isn't the book and the score the major components of any musical, apart from choreography?

I realize that "Best Musical" often goes to the show that has the most potential to tour, but still I am struggling with this. I know production quality is a major issue too, but I mean, why award a show when it may not have the "best" book or score?

**edited because I did not finish my last sentence before I hit reply*

Updated On: 6/6/05 at 06:08 PM

[hypertruffle]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:09pm

I always thought it was based on the quality of the production...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:14pm

Book and Score are honoring the material, while "Best Musical" essentially is honoring the actual production. You do not have to have a new score (or even, really, a book) to qualify for Best Musical (Fosse was a revue and won Best Musical, Contact had canned music and won Best Musical)

[Pinguin]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:14pm

HAHA...that's certainly the question, isn't it?

I think the people who don't vote Best Musical for a show they didn't vote Best Score or Best Book will tell you while it didn't have the BEST score or the BEST book that it was still the better overall show or combination of elements.

[Mythus]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:15pm

Best Musical doesn't mean that the winning musical has the best of everything, just that it's the best overall. It's like yearbook superlatives - winning Best Dressed and Best Singer doesn't mean you'll win Best Overall Person...if that makes sense.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:15pm

95% of the time: Biggest Commercial hit
5%: The actual best musical of the year

[TVBoy]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:18pm

If you win, it means you found your Grail.. :)

[dry2olives]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:18pm

There are no official definitions, but since Best Play goes to the author and producer, it's assumed the award is mostly for the writing. Since Best Musical goes only to the producers, it's assumed the award is for the whole production.

There was a time when the Best Musical award went to the authors and producers. Personally, I'd prefer to return to that. Once a Broadway production and its road companies close, the only consistant that remains for future productions is the book, music and lyrics.

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:30pm

In a word...URINETOWN. Won the triple crown of Tony Awards, but not "Best Musical." Millie took the prize that year. A perfect example. AIDA may be a arguably good example as well.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 6/6/05 at 6:47pm

95% of the time: Biggest Commercial hit
5%: The actual best musical of the year


exactly!!


pfft. i found spamalot boring yet it still won. theres so much hype surrounding the show and its obviously grossed soo much. but man, i found that performance boring and the lyrics interest me like not at all. so many shows are better than that but it still won. grr. i wouldve wanted anything but spamalot..DRS preferebly